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Crazylegs Classic

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The Crazylegs Classic is an annual 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) running race and 2 miles (3.2 km) walk held each spring in Madison, Wisconsin in the United States. The course starts at the Library Mall at the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus and ends at the Kohl Center. The race, first held in 1982, was named in honor of Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch. Proceeds from the race benefit University of Wisconsin–Madison athletics programs.[1]

The idea for the race was hatched in late 1981 by Tom Grantham, Ken Sparks, and Rich Backus, who wanted to raise money to support Wisconsin athletics.[2] As admirers of Hirsch, who was then serving as UW–Madison's athletic director, they asked his permission to name it the "Crazylegs Run" in his honor. Grantham continues to serve as general chairman on the Crazylegs Classic Executive Committee. Hirsch greeted runners at the start and finish of the race between 1981 and 1996.[3]

The first race in 1982 attracted 1,525 runners and raised $9,500. The event grew in popularity and the walk was added in 1987 with 676 walkers the first year. The event has grown, reaching a record high of 20,445 registrants in 2010.[4] Since its inaugural race, it has attracted more than 229,000 runners and walkers.

Runner's World magazine has rated the Crazylegs Classic as one of America's Best 100 Events. Readers participating in the Capital Times/Wisconsin State Journal Reader's Choice Award survey have voted the classic the #1 Favorite Local Running Event every year since 1995.

In 2002, the Road Runners Club of America chose the Crazylegs Classic one of twenty "Great Races! Great Places!" events.[5]

The race starts at the Library Mall on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus and ends at the Kohl Center.[6]

Prior to 2019, the Crazylegs Classic started opposite the State Capitol Building, going down Wisconsin Avenue, moving onto the campus over Observatory Drive to Picnic Point and returning down University Avenue to Camp Randall where it ended at the 50 yard line.[7][8] The route change was the result of Madison Common Council implementing new rules for street use permits in downtown Madison.[9]

The Crazylegs Classic has experienced suboptimal weather conditions. In 1988, racers fast sleet and high winds. In 1994, Madison received 7.8 inches (20 cm) snow on race day. And in 2019, Madison received 7 inches (18 cm) snow.[10]

In 1995, University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor David Ward ordered the Crazylegs Classic course to be rerouted given other events taking place on campus. It was the first time in 14 years the course had been changed and the first time the Observatory Drive Hill was not part of the course.[11][12]

The race was canceled in 2020 and was run as a virtual race in 2021 as a result of COVID-19.[13][14]

The Crazylegs Classic has honored notable individuals by having them serve as grand marshal for the race, including:

References

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  1. ^ "Crazylegs by the Thousands". Wisconsin State Journal. 28 April 2024.
  2. ^ Baggot, Andy (25 April 1998). ""CRAZYLEGS" THE MAN BEHIND THE NICKNAME". Wisconsin State Journal.
  3. ^ "Still Crazy After 15 Years". Wisconsin State Journal. 25 April 1996.
  4. ^ Madsen, Tamira (30 April 2017). "FORMER UW BASKETBALL PLAYERS STRIVE TO GIVE BACK CRAZYLEGS CLASSIC". Wisconsin State Journal.
  5. ^ Footnotes Magazine, March, 2002.
  6. ^ Rickert, Chris (26 April 2024). "SEVERAL STREETS TO BE CLOSED - DOWNTOWN MADISON: CRAZYLEGS CLASSIC". Wisconsin State Journal.
  7. ^ Mosiman, Dean (2 April 2019). "ROUTE CHANGES FOR CRAZYLEGS - FOR FIRST TIME, RACE WON'T START ON CAPITOL SQUARE". Wisconsin State Journal.
  8. ^ Punzel, Dennis (28 April 2019). "MOJO IN THE SNOW - KNAPP CLAIMS HIS FIRST TITLE WHILE VICTOR SECURES HER SECOND - CRAZYLEGS CLASSIC". Wisconsin State Journal.
  9. ^ Aadland, Chris (20 March 2019). "CITY COUNCIL TIGHTENS RULES FOR EVENTS IN DOWNTOWN MADISON". Wisconsin State Journal.
  10. ^ Hubbuch, Chris (27 April 2019). "ANOTHER WINTRY BLAST EXPECTED - MARKET, CRAZYLEGS, MIFFLIN STREET EVENT ARE ALL STILL A GO - PUT AWAY LAWNMOWER, GET OUT SNOWBLOWER". Wisconsin State Journal.
  11. ^ Reischel, Rob (21 April 1995). "A NEW LOOK FOR CRAZYLEGS: OBSERVATORY HILL NOT ON NEW ROUTE". Wisconsin State Journal.
  12. ^ Anderson, Stacey (24 February 1995). "GLUT IN EVENTS TO REROUTE CRAZYLEGS". The Capital Times.
  13. ^ Manis, Andy (1 May 2022). "Crazylegs Classic Returns". Wisconsin State Journal.
  14. ^ Reilly, Briana (13 May 2020). "TOURISM INDUSTRY EYES TOUGH SUMMER - ECONOMIC IMPACT SURE TO BE A FRACTION OF LAST YEAR'S $2.2 BILLION - BUSINESS". The Capital Times.
  15. ^ "Run for Crazylegs". Wisconsin State Journal. 19 April 1995.
  16. ^ Mullins, Matt (2 February 2000). "Rowing Season is Near". Wisconsin State Journal.
  17. ^ Masson, Jon (28 April 2001). "Two Decades of Memories". Wisconsin State Journal.
  18. ^ Masson, Jon (21 April 2002). "CRAZYLEGS MAKES A RUN AT 12,000 - RACE OFFICIALS HOPE REGISTRATION PICKS UP FOR SATURDAY'S "GREAT RACE IN A GREAT PLACE."". Wisconsin State Journal.
  19. ^ Mulhern, Tom (24 April 2005). "RICHTER ENJOYS NEW LIFE - TAKING A LESSON FROM ELROY HIRSCH, THE FORMER AD IS STILL A BADGER BOOSTER -- BUT FROM AFAR". Wisconsin State Journal.
  20. ^ Osborne, Jesse (29 April 2007). "JUMP FOR JOY - KELLER WINS AGAIN - HINTZ TAKES WOMEN'S TITLE". Wisconsin State Journal.
  21. ^ Osborne, Jesse (25 April 2008). "ON YOUR MARK ... - DAYNE 'HONORED' TO BE GRAND MARSHALL". Wisconsin State Journal.
  22. ^ Zizzo, Nick (24 April 2019). "SKILES ON SOLID GROUND IN LATEST ROLE - ONE OF THE "MIRACLE ON THE HUDSON" HEROES IS HONORED AS THE CRAZYLEGS CLASSIC GRAND MARSHAL". Wisconsin State Journal.
  23. ^ Polzin, Jim (23 April 2010). "CRAZY WEEK FOR CRAZYLEGS' GRAND MARSHAL". The Capital Times.
  24. ^ Schultz, Rob (24 April 2011). "SHE'S STILL CRAZY ABOUT CRAZYLEGS - ONE SATURDAY EVERY APRIL, RUTH HIRSCH IS REMINDED OF THE RACE SHE AND HER BELOVED HUSBAND, ELROY, CHERISHED". Wisconsin State Journal.
  25. ^ Baggot, Andy (27 April 2012). "RICHTER'S GRAND LEGACY - The former athletic director, 70, still is crazy for UW, which he built into a powerhouse". Wisconsin State Journal.
  26. ^ Zani, Andrea (21 April 2013). "CRAZYLEGS CLASSIC A SPRING TRADITION - GET MOVING". Wisconsin State Journal.
  27. ^ Zani, Andrea (20 April 2014). "CRAZYLEGS A RACE FOR ALL AGES, ABILITIES - GET MOVING". Wisconsin State Journal.
  28. ^ Madsen, Tamira (26 April 2015). "Crazylegs Classic: Brian Brown enjoys 33rd straight time taking part in 'Wisconsin tradition'". The Journal Times (Racine, Wisconsin).
  29. ^ Madsen, Tamira (30 April 2016). "RACE DAY CONTINUES TO EXCITE IN 35TH YEAR - UW MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH GREG GARD WILL BE THE GRAND MARSHAL - RUNNING". Wisconsin State Journal.
  30. ^ "The Week Ahead". The Capital Times. 26 April 2017.
  31. ^ Madsen, Tamira (29 April 2018). "TUCKER HAS GRAND TIME AT ?AMAZING' EVENT - THE FORMER UW STANDOUT APPLAUDS PARTICIPANTS FOR GOING THE EXTRA MILE - CRAZYLEGS CLASSIC". Wisconsin State Journal.
  32. ^ Punzel, Dennis (26 April 2019). "Joe Thomas returns to Badgers roots as grand marshal of Crazylegs Classic". The Chippewa Herald.
  33. ^ Milewski, Todd (29 April 2022). "Golden after Beijing, Crazylegs grand marshal Sarah Nurse better appreciates being a role model". The Chippewa Herald.
  34. ^ "Crazylegs Classic". The Isthmus. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
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